Five people were killed, and two others, both minors, were injured in a mass shooting in the Kingsessing neighborhood of southwest Philadelphia on Monday evening, according to Fox News. Two men have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
A 40-year-old man was apprehended without incident, according to Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. During the approximately 8:30 p.m. shooting rampage, he reportedly wore a ballistic vest and carried multiple magazines, an “AR-type rifle,” a handgun, and a police scanner.
Several children were wounded by gunshot, including a two-year-old and a thirteen-year-old, who both survived. All of the deceased casualties were between 20 and 59 years old. The fifth victim was not discovered until hours after the initial shooting when a body was located inside the home.
Among the deceased victims are Lashyd Merritt, age 20, Dymir Stanton, age 29, Ralph Moralis, age 59, Daujan Brown, age 15; and Joseph Wamah, Jr., age 31.
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The 2-year-old is receiving treatment for four gunshot wounds to the legs, while the 13-year-old is receiving treatment for two gunshot wounds to the legs. Exploding glass injured two additional persons at the scene, including a 2-year-old and a 33-year-old. Police have not disclosed any survivors’ names.
According to local media, the shooter continued to fire as officers pursued him and eventually cornered him in a Frazer Street alley. Outlaw stated that he was then taken into custody without officers firing fire.
A motive is currently unknown.
“We have absolutely no idea why this happened,” said Outlaw. “At this point, all we know is that this person left their home and decided to target specific individuals.”
Outlaw added, “Thank God our officers were here on the scene, they responded as quickly as they did, and I cannot describe the level of bravery and courage that was displayed in addition to the restraint.”
Officers responded to reports of an armed individual in the area of South 56th Street and Chester Avenue, but the suspect fled into the adjacent streets of 56th Street and Kingsessing Avenue. FOX 29 reports that the shooter then moved to nearby Frazer Street.
The unidentified suspect was purportedly apprehended approximately 10 minutes later.
According to Outlaw, a second individual who police believe may have fired back at the assailant during the rampage has been arrested.
Fox News Digital has requested additional information from the Philadelphia Police Department.
